Bring legacy to life. For the future of Queensland and the world.DPI plays a vital role in enabling QLD'S primary industries to be profitable, productive and sustainable for future generations. We empower our regional communities to be bold and prosperous.
As a Technical Officer (Nutrient Cycling), you'll build a rewarding career and find impact you can see every day. You will be a member of a multidisciplinary team and provide research/technical support to support industry-funded projects.

Just imagine what you could achieve with us #DPIcareers

Job details

As our Technical Officer (Nutrient Cycling) you will: 

• Actively participate as a member of a multidisciplinary team and provide research/technical support for the coordination, planning, organising and conduct of field, laboratory, and glasshouse experimental aspects to support industry-funded research projects in soil, manure and related greenhouse gas management systems.
• Physically undertake and apply rigorous and precise field, greenhouse and laboratory sampling, preparation, and experimental skills on a day-to-day basis and under the guidance of the principal scientist, to:
  • Establish, conduct, and maintain glasshouse, plant accelerator, plot, field and laboratory experiments in soil and manure management systems, and mechatronics.
  • Establish and maintain field measurement and sample collection of greenhouse gas emissions, soils and emission source materials, effluent, and conduct analysis using experimental and analytical techniques. These include testing of mechatronic platforms, flow-through non-steady state chambers, headspace trials, soil solution sampling via micro dialysis, data logging, cavity ring-down spectrophotometry for gas concentration and carbon isotopes, exogenous enzyme activity, microbial biomass, phospho-lipid fatty acid extraction, and a range of other colorimetric/fluorescence plate reader techniques.
  • Collect, collate, and analyse experimental results of research, via excel and R programming language, and communicate them to the responsible scientist in a timely manner.
• Maintain and calibrate research equipment, apparatus construction, and purchase of chemicals, media, reagents, and other consumables.
• Build effective working relationships with project team members, stakeholders, professional networks, and Departmental staff; and liaise and coordinate project activities with commercial cooperators.
• Assist in the preparation of material for project reports for departmental, commercial client and funding body publications; peer-reviewed publications; and assist with compilation of relevant industry extension material.
• Communicate details of the research and results to visiting groups.

What we are looking for (qualifications, registrations, experience)

There are some qualifications that we see as essential.

• It is a mandatory requirement for a technical officer in this role to possess an Australian Diploma level qualification or higher, in Agricultural Science, Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering from a recognised tertiary institution.
• A current ‘C' class drivers licence
• commitment to obtaining vaccination, or provision of evidence of prior immunity to Q fever, will be required prior to commencement.

Desirable attributes / Technical Requirements

• The ability to apply technical knowledge, physical capability, and skills in the areas of soil, manure and/or gas sampling, and establishment and operation of field and glasshouse agronomic trials.
• The ability to apply technical knowledge, and skills in nutrient and greenhouse gas analysis and related experimental skills to support research projects in the field of nutrient cycling, water transport of nutrients, agricultural technology (agtech), and greenhouse gas experimentation.

Why work for us

Learn why our people choose DPI and more importantly why they stay.

• Work with passion and purpose
• Have a tangible impact, for today and tomorrow
• Enjoy interesting, diverse work
• Follow your path wherever it leads
• Get the flexibility and support you need to thrive
• Be part of our united DPI

Join us and help enrich Queensland's agricultural businesses.

Visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au to learn more about us and what we do.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.
Job Ad Reference: QLD/685019/26
Closing Date: Thursday, 30 April 2026

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Please ensure you download all attachments and follow the instructions on how to apply.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• Candidate Information Pack DPI (PDF, 279KB)
  
  
  685019 26 Role Description (Word, 935KB)